Bad Sports Contracts Quiz

Test your knowledge of the worst sports contract catastrophes of the past 30 years. If you don't know an answer, here's a hint: the most ridiculous option is almost always right!

Start Quiz »

You scored

0 out of 20

Question 1 of 20

Ricky Williams was a Heisman Trophy winner who was drafted by the New Orleans Saints after coach Mike Ditka traded away eight future draft selections. How much did this superstar earn during his first season?

$25 million

$5 million

The League minimum

Ricky's contract was so rife with confusing provisions that he made the minimum his first season and deferred nearly his entire signing bonus.

Question 2 of 20

Coach Mike Ditka and his prized draft pick Ricky Williams appeared on the cover of ESPN The Magazine dressed as which of the following?

A bride and groom

Ricky's bulging biceps really stood out in that white wedding gown.

A lion and a lion tamer

Twin brothers

Question 3 of 20

Before Ryan Leaf was drafted by the Chargers for over $7 million a year, he played for which college team that lost to the University of Michigan in the 1998 Rose Bowl?

UCLA

Washington State University

Of course, the mighty Cougars of Washington State!

Notre Dame

Question 4 of 20

After flopping as a quarterback and admitting a prescription drug addiction, Leaf tried his hand at what other career?

Investment banker

Real estate agent

Author

Despite his past performances (or failures to perform), someone signed Leaf to a three-book deal.

Question 5 of 20

What was Allan Houston's Achilles' heel?

His actual heel

His big toe

His knees

The bigger they come, the harder they fall, especially when their knees are made of papier mâché.

Question 6 of 20

How much did Allan Houston earn during the two years that he sat on the bench with injuries?

Nothing

$10 million

Almost $40 million

At least he started a charitable foundation with his $40 milllion.

Question 7 of 20

In the four seasons that David Beckham has played for the L.A. Galaxy, his $250 million contract has resulted in how many goals?

1

9

In contrast to his 9 goals for the Galaxy, Beckham scored 62 goals during his decade with Manchester United.

23

Question 8 of 20

When he signed with the Galaxy, David Beckham promised to work to raise the profile of soccer among Americans. To that end, he spends every off-season doing what?

Running soccer camps for underprivileged children.

Testifying before Congress that soccer should be named America's official national sport.

Making millions of euros playing for AC Milan in Italy.

To his credit, sparking America's interest in professional soccer is a lost cause. So why not make money in Milan?

Question 9 of 20

Number one draft pick JaMarcus Russell held out for his contract with the Oakland Raiders for so long that he attended how many weeks of training camp?

6

3

0

After missing all of training camp, when he finally showed up, he was so out of shape he didn't start a game until the final game of the season.

Question 10 of 20

In his three years with the Oakland Raiders, quarterback JaMarcus Russell made $39 million. If you divide that by the number of touchdowns he threw, he much did he make per touchdown?

$50,000

$1,000,000

Over $2 million

Needless to say, Russell is not a fan favorite in Oakland. Not at more than $2 million a touchdown.

Question 11 of 20

Which of these teams did Steve Young NOT play for during his professional football career?

San Francisco 49ers

Los Angeles Express

San Jose Sabercats

You thought we made up the Sabercats, but it turns out they're a real arena football team!

Question 12 of 20

Steve Young's $36 million contract with the USFL's Los Angeles Express was good for how many years?

7

10

43

At 43 years, he's still getting paid for that job.

Question 13 of 20

All-star third baseman Alex Rodriguez receives the most boos (arguably) in which stadium?

Rangers Ballpark in Texas

Boo meters are unreliable, but suffice it to say that A-Rod isn't Facebook friends with most Rangers fans.

PNC Park in Pittsburgh

Wrigley Field in Chicago

Question 14 of 20

The Texas Rangers still owe Alex Rodriguez how much money from his $252 million contract signed back in 2001?

$5.3 million

$18.7 million

$24.9 million

In the Rangers' bankruptcy filing, A-Rod is their biggest outstanding creditor, at $24.9 million.

Question 15 of 20

Rick DiPietro is a professional athlete in which of the following sports?

Soccer

Hockey

And surprisingly, this hockey player is from Massachusetts, not Manitoba.

Beach volleyball

Question 16 of 20

Even if hockey goalie Rick DiPietro is traded or retires from his knee injuries, the Islanders or his new team still have to pay him how much every year until 2021?

$523,000

$1.3 million

$4.5 million

Like the ice upon which he skates occasionally when he's not injured, DiPietro will make a cold $4.5 million.

Question 17 of 20

How many games did LeCharles Bentley play for the Cleveland Browns before succumbing to a knee injury?

0

He tore a tendon in his knee during the very first drill of the first day of training camp.

2

6

Question 18 of 20

After receiving $16 million for playing zero minutes, LeCharles Bentley is suing the Browns for how much money in "pain and suffering" related to his staph infection?

$25,000

While Bentley is looking for $25,000, a teammate has already settled with the Browns for an undisclosed amount over his separate staph infection.

$250,000

$2 million

Question 19 of 20

How old was pitcher Kevin Brown when the Dodgers signed him to a seven-year, $105 million contract?

22

29

33

Thirty-three is 89 in pitcher years.

Question 20 of 20

How many seasons did Kevin Brown pitch for the Dodgers before suffering a career-altering elbow injury?

1

2

In retrospect, maybe that seven-year contract was a tad optimistic since he only managed two years. And by optimistic, we mean dumb.